From Deseret News archives:
Utah Hispanics taking charge
During the 2004 session, a sleeping giant, the Hispanic community, awoke and was forced to become active in the legislative process and take action against anti-immigrant groups.
As Hispanic leaders, we realized that no group or political party was going to defend us or fight for us. So we sdecided to unite and defend those issues that we feel strongly will affect our community in the state.
We decided to take control of our own destiny in this state.
Last year, in order to get organized and become more effective during the legislative session, Hispanic leaders from both parties decided to join hands and create a new group called the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force. This group is made up of members from both political parties and from many walks of life.
All of us are professionals and executives who voluntarily dedicate our time to support our group and to be watchdogs for those issues that affect our people.
As the Hispanic Legislative Task Force, our obligation is to inform and educate our representatives and senators about legislation and issues that will affect our people.
The Hispanic community in Utah is growing every year. It is becoming one of the most affluent and influential minorities. From Ogden to Provo, from Wendover to Park City, Hispanics are becoming prominent business owners, teachers, university professors, community leaders and executives.
Hispanic-owned businesses are being created everywhere across Utah. The Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is getting stronger every year in Salt Lake County. The newly formed Ogden Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce shows the tremendous increase of Hispanic businesses in the greater Ogden area and North Davis County.
Our people are slowly moving from the working class to the middle and the upper class. We can no longer afford not to be involved in the legislative process. It is of vital interest to us. We have learned the lesson that we cannot just sit around and do nothing.
Comments
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110
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
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